Dialogue in the Dark

May 2014



The very first time I heard about this was via Tripadvisor.  I was searching for places to visit in Hong Kong (preparing for my Hong Kong trip which will be posted in another blog) and I bumped into this 'Dialogue in the Dark' rated no 3 in Tripadvisor.  Out of curiosity, I read some of the comments posted and immediately I was hooked to it. 

Owner description Experience an "Unseen" tour you never experience before. Unlike ordinary sight-seeing spots in Hong Kong, we offer a "dark" and inspiring experience.  (Information taken from Tripadvisor)

However, I knew it was impossible to visit this place as my little ones were too young for such experience.  Though disappointed, there's little I can do about it.

Months later, as I was preparing for an itinerary in view of my sis-in-law's visit, I came across this piece of information: 

Dialogue in the Dark
8th December 2013 - 31st May 2014
Venue: Petrosains, The Discovery Centre

Seriously, I couldn't believe my eyes.  Dialogue in the Dark @ Petrosains, KLCC!!!  This is so unbelievable!  It is happening in Malaysia!  Wow!!!  Can you imagine how exhilarated I was?  That tingling feeling of excitement roused from my tummy and I was speechless for a few seconds.   I jot down all the information and included this as part of the itinerary with a side note:  A-Must-See-Experience

Now, let's fast forward till the day Audrey (my sis-in-law) and I bought the tickets and was about to enter into this brand new world of 'darkness'.  We were told to place all our belonging in a locker, including my specs.  I jokingly told the receptionist and Audrey that now I am partially blind.  Then, both of us were given only a blind stick and were ushered into a corridor with its lights slowly dimming away.  

At the other side of the corridor, our guide was waiting for us.  I'm sorry that I have forgotten her name.  By then, we could not see a thing at all.  It was so dark that you cannot even see your hand in front of your face!  We learned to use all of our senses to navigate through the walk.  When started, I couldn't even tell the direction of the guide's voice.  So it's rather challenging to follow her voice into the right direction.  It took me awhile to get used to it.  But nothing to worry about, coz our friendly guide was ever ready to assist whenever we were 'lost' in darkness and wondering away.  It was as though she wore a pair of night vision goggles.  Later we found out that she was blind since an early age.

In total darkness, we were led through a series of simulated environments depicting different real-life scenarios - walking in a rain forest jungle crossing the bridge; engaging ourselves in different stalls trying to identify the things we want to buy; and etc (not to spoil the fun; but honestly I have forgotten.  Ooops!  A knocked on my head for not blogging this earlier).  Our final stop was to buy a drink and some titbits at a stall.  We then sat down on the chairs and listened to our guide sharing her life story of how she lost her sight.

Overall, the experience was priceless.  It was an interesting, enjoyable, fun, insightful and very humbling experience.  This is an absolutely amazing experience that truly makes you appreciate your gift of sight.  It gives me a taste of being visually impaired and the daily challenges associated with not having vision.

This is one typical example of how are we take things for granted in many, many areas of our lives.  Be thankful, be contented.  Count your blessings.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

  

The good news is: You can now experience it at Jaya One, PJ!  So, what are you waiting for?  Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity and explore the 'dark' side of your innermost being.


Exhibition & Office
100-P1-001, The School, Block J, Jaya ONE, 72A
Jalan University
46200 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Malaysia

Phone: 603 -5891 6212
E-Mail: connect@did.my
URL: http://www.did.my/web/

Face to face encounter with creepy crawly

19th October 2014

Ever since we moved to Melaka and hubby became the pastor in charge, almost every week he preaches in the church.  Of course, nothing wrong with that.  But I began to show my concern when he started to going back to office more and more often in the evening, i.e. OT.  While trying his very best not to miss time spent with the children, hubby decided to work in the late hours after the children have gone to bed.  Those late hours OT is mainly used to prepare his sermon as it is quiet with minimum distraction.

I salute my hubby for his dedication and commitment to deliver the best sermon he could.  However, as a wife, I often find myself discouraging him from spending so much time in preparing for sermon.  Over my entire Christian life, I haven’t seen a pastor devoted so many hours every week for a sermon of 30- 45 minutes.  Perhaps I was not aware.  Perhaps I am biased since this particular pastor is my husband.  Nevertheless, it took me awhile until I finally recognised hubby’s dedication.  Thus, instead of nagging, I willingly accepted the fact and step in to take over the care of the children whenever he goes back to office in the evening till the wee hours.

So, what does this have to do with the creepy crawly?  Well, it was one of those nights where hubby was doing OT again in the office.  Normally, he comes back around 2am.  However, that night he came back around 4am.  Usually he use the side gate to enter into the porch as he wished not to disturb the children and his wife who are in dreamland at the front room.  That night as he was about to walk in via the side gate, he noticed something unusual beside his leg.  He took a closer look and realised that it was a SNAKE!!!  Between his right leg and side door.  He quickly pulled back his leg.  He was stunt for a moment. 

When he finally came back to his senses, the next question in his mind: How to get into the house?  His only option is still the side gate as he did not bring the remote control for the auto gate.  (His wife later scolded him for not ringing her up to open the gate for him).  So, he slowly opened the side gate while trying his very best to keep a safe distant from that sneaky creature.  Then he braved himself and leaped across that venomous reptile in an instant.  Well, hubby isn’t an expert in such reptile and he could not see it clearly as it was too dark.  So, we do not really know whether is it poisonous or not.  (Hubby recalls the snake's head was lifted up above the ground??!!).  But no one in his right mind will ignore and pretend as though it is a harmless snake when face with one.    

Perhaps it was due to the sudden movement, the snake reacted launching foward at hubby leg.  (perhaps an attempt to bite it?).  Thank God it did not succeed.  Hubby’s back was drenched with sweat and his heart was pumping so fast – better than a roller coaster ride.  Once inside, he grabbed hold of a stick from the porch and tried to look for the snake again but to no avail.  It was gone for good.  We truly thank God for His protection over hubby. 

Prior to this, we once found a baby (1 feet long) monitor lizard in the house.  We were away for a couple of days.  However, even with all the doors and windows shut tightly and mosquito netting as extra protection, these creepy crawly still managed their way into our little home.  In comparison, a snake is far more dangerous and we are very concerned after this incident.  For now, sulphur does the trick but perhaps it’s time to arm ourselves with proper skill for future encounter.  

Penang Island - Pearl of the Orient, Part 3

22nd September 2014


Guess what’s the next activity on the list?  Kidland at Prangin Mall!  It is modeled after the Kidzania franchise, an edutainment center where children playact adult jobs.  But the good news is: the prices are vastly different.  I have always wanted to bring Elyse to Kidzania KL.  I’m sure she’d love it!  But it is so expensive!  So when I came across this I know I have to bring my kids there.  We took the evening session package (7-9pm) for RM10 per child.  The day session (10am-7pm) for RM30 per child is more worthwhile but we do not have the luxury of time.  There wasn’t anyone in Kidland except my 2 angels.  So, they roamed around as though they owned the place.  Initially we weren’t sure what to do or where to go.  There wasn’t anyone to guide us.  Guess this is the disadvantage of taking the evening session – the staffs are exhausted after a long day. 

Our first stop: Babyland - a multi-level playground (Children's Physical and Mental Development Facility).  Inside its maze of rooms, there are ball poppers, swings, trampoline, and many places to climb.  

Elyse has been wanting to watch the 5D Motion theatre but we reckon that it is a bit pricey.  She watched it once at the Melaka River Cruise with Mommy and another time with Andrew and Erwyn at Australia.  Few months back, there is one at Aeon Melaka that launched this facility.  Of course, the charges are exorbitant.  We promised to bring Elyse to watch it as her birthday present.  Now all 3 of us got to watch two movies as part of the package.  Not only does Elyse enjoyed the show, Erwyn was thrilled as well.  I am quite surprised my little boy was not frightened by the 5D motion at all.

Next, we went to The Special Duties Unit.  It features a large screen and a first person shooter game. The set up is that you are on a train with people shooting at you, and you must shoot back while holding a realistic gun.  A little too violent?  I still find it ok.  There's no bloody or frightening scene.  Just practise your aiming skill.

Aircraft Department

Driving Training Area

Railway Station

Sandpool

Finally, we checked out just 10 minutes before it closed. 

Our final day was a casual day.  No activity.  Although there are some places we have yet to explore, we shall wait till our next visit.  6 hours drive all the way from Penang to Melaka was yet another breakthrough for the kids!  I’m amazed that they were so well behaved throughout the journey.  Erwyn was half asleep most of the time while Elyse was singing songs.  We stopped by at Sg Buloh Bridge R&R for lunch.  

Saw this tiny version of Penang Bridge model at one of the reststop.  

It was a pleasant trip and we hope to visit Penang again.  But for now, I think all of us need some time to recuperate from all the walking. 

Penang Island - Pearl of the Orient, Part 2

22nd September 2014


The next day our adventure continued with the search for street art.  After all, this is the latest ‘in’ thing happening in this island.  My web search didn’t give me detailed information of which murals were located at which street.  So, we checked with the staff at the hotel lobby hoping to get more information.  To our surprised, she passed a brochure with specific information for all the murals – pictures with its name, its location and a detailed map for each mural.  WOW!!!  Here we go.  The queen and the princess and the prince picked their choices, then the chauffeur with his guide led us to every street.

We saw a lot of people moving around the town with bicycles.   We almost wanted to rent the bicycle.  But on second thought, I doubt the children can 'tahan' that long.

Erwyn was very disappointed and upset when we couldn’t find his "minion" painting.   But later we found another "minion" in front of a shop house.  Immediately, his sour face glowed brightly.  The sorrowful boy finally turned into our cheerful little prince.  This makes me wonder - Since when he had a liking for "minions"???

This, of course, is not a mural.  Is it???  We saw this while walking around.  A pink colour tank?!?  Catchy to the eye indeed.

Don't be mistaken this as a mural.  This is a REAL fire truck.  We passed by the fire station and there was no one there.  The children had an up close encounter with the fire truck.  Look how happy they were.

Back in Malacca, the kids had their one and only trishaw experience early last year.  It costs us RM50 for a 5 minute ride!!!  Since then, the children have been pestering us for another round but we did not give in.  The price is simply too ridiculous!  But here in Penang, the uncle on the trishaw offered to take us around for 15 minutes for only RM10!!!  All 3 of us – one adult with 2 children, of course.  The children finally fulfilled their dream of sitting in a trishaw.  The downside is: The uncle tried to explain each mural as we passed by with his perfect Penang Hokkien.  Neither of us could understand him.  Well, I am a Hokkien but mine is Southern Hokkien.  It is not entirely the same as the Northern Hokkien.  Whenever my mom and Andrew speak to each other in Hokkien, I laughed.  They could both be speaking Hokkien but its meaning may not exactly be the same.  And of course my Hokkien is quite rusty by now.  Even my Mandarin is getting rusty.

 Looks like the uncle was very used to taking picture with the tourist.  Say 'cheese'...

This mural was located inside a coffee shop.  The uncle pointed it out to us, if not, we would certainly have missed it!  I really like this mural as compared to many others.  Noticed there were 2 little boys next to Erwyn?  And the young girl carried a cup of coffee?  Erwyn and Elyse fit perfectly in between the children.

 

Lunch was served and we proceeded to our next destination in our To-Do-List: Made in Penang Interactive Museum for 3D Photo Fun.  Well, if you are looking for food you are at the wrong blog.  I’m not a food lover.  So, blogging on food is really not my strength. 

A little hiccup after our lunch - our car’s headlight fell out!  Yup, you read it correctly!  Headlight fell out!?!  My father in law found a mechanic somewhere along Burma Road and this kind uncle just drilled a hole next to the original one and fixed it back!  LOL… So, here we go – 3D Interactive Museum. 

It was said that the walkway leading into the museum has Malaysia’s longest and widest 3D mural.  We took some photos before entering the museum.

A cup of coffee with Lim Guan Eng?  This mural was painted right next to the ticketing counter.  Ehh... seriously, don't you think Lim Guan Eng deserved the right to charge some kind of copyright fee?

Hero to the rescue!

Hold on, Elyse!  Spiderman is coming!!!

Elyse rescuing Ah Gong from the mouth of a .... monster?

hey, watch out on your diet, man!

The museum may not be very big, but it took us almost 2 hours for the whole tour.  By now, all of us were exhausted.  We went back to the hotel to wash up and rest.

Just before dinner, we dropped by Gurney Drive for a stroll.  Andrew and my father-in-law were taken aback by the view.  It was nothing like how they remembered it.

As we drove around the streets in Penang, my father in law showed us some of the places:-

The Lim Kongsi - This is where Andrew's grandfather plaque is kept

Road named after Andrew's great-grandfather

Road named after Andrew's great-great-grandfather

To be continued...